Varavall

Hi Here is my solution to attach my 2i to a Skywatcher EQ3/5 tripod. I happen to have a small workshop, so quite easy for me, and its cheap! Because the AZ adjust post interferes with the ALT adjuster on the 2i I cut 2 discs of scrap alumimium plate, cut a groove in the plates to take the adjuster post, then countersink a 1/4" tripod screw into the top disc to attach the equatorial wedge. Next cut a M10 thread into the countersink hole, drill a 10mm hiole in the second aluminium disc, then buy a M10x70mm clamping knob from A-Z or ironmonger and grind off the thread for 25mm at the base to allow the bolt to be loose in the tripod head and can engage with the thread cut in the disk and tighten. That's it for a pound or 2. Good luck in your endeavour

Hi Steve I used to run cables from the mount to my laptop in the warmth. You would need an active USB cable and mine cost 130 euros for a 10m run plus a hub at the mount for another 50 euros. All well and good until the cable died - I think someone stood on it. Anyway, I now use a cheap mini PC at the mount (90 euros) running NINA, PHD2, etc . and connect to it using wifi and Google Remote. A much better solution in my opinion; no cable running through walls and to stand on. Just an idea for you to ponder.

I used to live there and I can confirm the skies above and to the south were really dark, that is when the rain stopped. I now live in a remote-ish location in Spain with no rain but Saharan dust at times 🙄

I use a BMAX Mini Pc 6GB+64GB eMMC Celeron N3350 Fanless Desktop Computerr with Win 10 which I got on Amazom 18 monthes ago. (£90ish) Not an outstandiung spec, but it has 4 USB ports and runs on 12v. It happily runs ZWO camera , focuser and filterwheel, camera rotator, mount and guide camera,: NINA, Carte du Ciel and PHD2 work flawlessly, and I connect to it using Google Remote Desktop for configuration and copying the nights images to my processiing PC. If you are just looking to use it as an imaging system PC, then a high spec is not imnportant, well for DSO.s, I don't do planetary imaging! For protection against dew I use an adapted plastic ice cream tub. Prime day is coming, so maybe some good offers out there. Good luck in your quest.

Maybe something like this, if you have luck in the bidding https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/hose-rhodes-dickson/catalogue-id-srhos10119/lot-482a563f-fc63-43ce-8471-b16f00ce5b49?queryId=84af771fa950da137f8a6971559a0d0d If you buy something at a good price of respectable quality, you could probably sell it again for the what you paid. There are bargains to be had. In the last few years I have ppicked up a couple of Takahashi telescopes for around £300 a piece.

Hi I think these two statements are mutually exclusive! Is the budget really limited to £200? And taking good photos of what?

It's visible here in southern Catalonia Nikon D610 with 17-35mm @ 17mm, f2.8, ISO 6400, 15s. 3 images stacked

I live in Catalonia which does have dark sites, BUT in the winter the interior, especially the plain of Lleida, very frequently gets fog which can last for weeks. When the skies are clear the seeing is excellent. I would suggest heading further south and west to Andalucia/Extramadura, but pass through Catalonia in case the weather is good, and as you have a campervan you can always park up on a mountain for the night 😉

Oddly that is how it's been here in Spain over the past months. Maybe there is an explanation?

Exactly as I do it. In an earlier life I was an IT consultant and appreciate that when a saystem is working don't touch it! Only apply software updates if there is a need and of course keep a system backup for those hardware failures. My really cheap mini-pc works without problems. Stick with it; I know IT can be frustrating at times!

Just go to the scrap yard and buy a round or square lump of metal of the weight desired, for me under 1 euro, and put a threaded rod in the base of the smooth cunterweight bar and then drill a hole in the scrap metal equal to the diameter of the threaded rod, then affix with a nut. Use the proprietry weights for fine tuning. 1-2 euros or £0.80-1.75. It may look a tad rough but its dark 😁

Hi Assuming its the Baader corrector take a look at this I use a SW200pds and a Skywatcher coma corrector on an HEQ5 with round stars using a guidescope. The mount is probably overloaded but I get a PHD2 RMS of 0.25-0.6, but I have hypertuned the mount and replaced all the bearings with SKF ones. Maybe you could post a PHD2 log file? Best of luck!

Hi I wished to do similar using a ZWO camera and Nikon lenses and I have been down that route and found at certain points the guidescope fouled the mount. So I machined some scrap aluminium plates and attached them to the bar, and now I can fix the guidescape and mini PC to one plate and have a removable plate to attach the camera lens and focuser - see photo. It works very well for me.

The Heart and Soul nebulas taken over 11th, 12th and 13th March. 30x 600s Ha, 10x600s Sii, 13x600s Oiii Kit:: Nikon 135mm AI lens at f4, ZWO Nikon-filter wheel adapter, ASI1600MM-Cool, ZWO EAF, Astrodon 5nm Ha, Sii and Oiii filters, HEQ5 Pro modded mount, NINA, PHD2 Processed in ASTAP, Siril, GIMP and NX Studio

I guess that's £100 before thinking about what to sit it on. versus £1 for scrap aluminium tube.

True, but I use a socket wrench so I keep my blood where it belongs. 😉

I built a pillar mount out of scrap aluminium for £30 . If you are handy with tools, maybe an option for you.

Horsehead Nebula Kit: Nikon 300mm AI lens at f4.5, ZWO Nikon-filter wheel adapter, ASI1600MM-Cool, ZWO EAF, Astrodon 5nm Ha, Sii and Oiii filters, HEQ5 Pro modded mount, NINA, PHD2 Ha 40x300s, Sii 13x60s, Oiii 15x60s Processed in ASTAP, Siril and GIMP Taken 19th February

Here is a go at the Heart Nebula. Kit: Nikon 300mm AI lens at f4.5, ZWO Nikon-filter wheel adapter, ASI1600MM-Cool, ZW EAF, Astrodon 5nm Ha, Sii and Oiii filters, HEQ5 Pro modded mount Ha 18x600s, Sii 8x600s, Oiii 30x900s Processed in ASTAP, Siril and GIMP Taken 3rd and 5th February

Here is another effort of the Rosette Nebula using a shorter focal length setup to reveal more of the surrounding nebulosity. Kit: Nikon 300mm AI lens at f4.5, ZWO Nikon-filter wheel adapter, ASI1600MM-Cool, ZW EAF, Astrodon 5nm Ha, Sii and Oiii filters, HEQ5 Pro modded mount Ha 6x900s, Sii 7x600s, Oiii 7x900s Processed in ASTAP, Siril and GIMP Taken 5th February

I think I lost mine long ago 🤪 Good luck with the next attempt.

Hi GIMP has a native FITS reader and I have no problems opening and stretching such files. Maybe you could post the stacked FITS file in questio n here so we can see if I have the same problem or not. Then at least will will knw if its the file or your system that has a problem.

Here is my interpretation of the Rosette Nebula in my preferred bold and bright colours. 10 x Ha, 15 x Sii, 15 x Oiii all at 600s on the nights of 13th and 25th January Kit: SW 120ED with Mira 0.63x flattener/reducer, ZWO ASI1600MM-cool, astrodon 5nm filters, SW HEQ5 belt modded with upgraded bearings, NINA and PHD2 Processed in ASTAP, GIMP and Siril

A final seasonal entry. Funfair ride at Parque Turo, Barcelona. Single shot processed in NX Studio. Nikon D610, lens 17-35mm F2.8D at 26mm, f11, 1/20s, ISO1600

A sesonal scene in the French Catalonian town of Céret, the Porte d'Espagne, a relic of the town's medieval ramparts. Moon to top right. Single shot processed in NX Studio. Nikon D610, lens 17-35mm F2.8D at 28mm, f3.5, 1/50s, ISO640